In the colorful words of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolf – “Strict ****” – he could be George Russell instead of Sergio Perez, the first winner at the Sakhir Grand Prix. Upstairs ”in the Silver Arrows garage.
Introducing a Mercedes to replace the ailing Lewis Hamilton, Russell made a sensational appearance by beating pole-sitters and Valletri Bottas off the line, leading Finn to a comfortable lead for most of the race and possibly preparing for a significant victory in the first match. Sports.
Read more: Russell expressed disbelief that Sakhir was the first win after the Mercedes Pete play ‘stripped from us twice’.
But the decision to put Russell and Bottas under a late safety car led to disaster, as Russell’s Mercedes W11 radio was malfunctioned with Botas’ front tires due to a malfunction and was sent out, after which Russell lagged behind in the right tire. . Britt would have defended the victory after that, as he restarted the safety car and drove a string of brilliant overtakes to go from P2 to P5 – just a puncture and a pit to leave Russell P9 on the metal.
“For us, it was just a tremendous f *** up,” said the sad wolf after the race. “I am not allowed to say that but it was. Only one tire crew did not hear the call. We had a radio failure in the garage and when the car arrived, they didn’t know we had to change tires, or had the wrong tires and that’s why we got out with the wrong set of tires.
2020 Sakhir Grand Prix: Mercedes tire mix-up costs Botas and Russell
“I think we’ve done a good job overall,” Wolfe added. “Technical failure happens, it was not a human error. We need to find that. We have now examined it, [the radio] Not working, but we don’t know why. So these things happen and we have to learn from them. ”
After the race, Wolfe Williams’ regular Russell – Mercedes Protege – which has been on Silver Arrow’s books since 2017, ran the radio – both praising and praising Britain for its “brilliant drive”.
Read more: Sergio Perez wins first sensational victory in Sakhir GP after Russell’s charge was ruined due to tire issue
And speaking after the race, Wolfe praised Russell’s efforts – which ended just behind eighth-ranked team-mate Bottas, who remained unprotected on the hard tires he used in the confusion that ensued – while suggesting that Mercedes’ future was likely to be 22 years old. Staying bright in Russell’s hands.
“Of course, it was very emotional because if you’re in your first race in a Mercedes and you have to win it, really, run a commemorative race, then you can’t say much,” Wolfe said. “But this is not his last attempt to win a race; It’s just the beginning of a fairy tale that couldn’t work today, and I would say a new star has been born.
2020 Sakhir Grand Prix: Team apologizes for destroying Toto Wolfe Russell on radio
“I think Lewis is a perfect benchmark,” he added from among the remaining drivers to sign a contract for 2021. “This is what their record says and no one is as close as I think. But today we see a new pay generation coming in that can be really strong. They are very young, they are in their early 20’s. Is, so the sky is the limit. “
Read more: Wolf says Hamilton will negotiate a contract until he returns to full health of the 7-time champ
Wolfe, meanwhile, confirmed that in the days leading up to the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season, Hamilton should remain positive for the Covid-19, with Russell once again being called up as his replacement, saying: “If the test is negative, he [Lewis’] Car and then he will run a brilliant race for sure. And if there is a test [positive] Then George is in the car. ”
